Prince Philip has died peacefully at Windsor Castle at the age of 99, just weeks after he was released from a London hospital and reunited with the Queen.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who had recently been treated for a pre-existing heart condition and an infection, died on Friday morning, just two months before his 100th birthday.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

"His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

"Further announcements will made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."

The Duke of Edinburgh was once described by the Queen as her "strength and stay" and has been a constant presence by her side for more than 70 years.

Born in 1921, Philip served in the Royal Navy and has become known over the years for his jokes and gaffes.

After he first met the Queen, Elizabeth "never looked at anyone else" and once Philip proposed his destiny as royal consort was sealed.

Putting aside his own career ambitions, he proved his strong sense of duty serving the country through hundreds of engagements every year, refusing to stop working even in his 90s.

He became patron or president of 800 organisations, founded the Duke of Edinburgh Awards in 1956 and won a place in the nation's hearts for his no-nonsense attitude and witty quips, or "gaffes".

He leaves behind four children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchilden.

Philip bowed out of public life in August 2017, retiring at the age of 96 with 22,219 solo engagements to his name.

It was perhaps an unexpected path for the boy born on June 10, 1921 on the Greek Island of Corfu and descended from Greek and Danish royalty.

While not exactly from humble beginnings, Philip's childhood gave no clue that he would one day be the longest-serving British royal consort and a key figure at the heart of the world's most famous Royal Family.

His mother was Princess Alice of Battenberg and his father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and he was their only son with four older sisters. (Credit, excluding headline: The Mirror)

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